Chantal has combined her passion for empowering others, her love of writing, and a her personal interest in autism those with disabilities to become an award-winning author and speaker. Known for her practical advice on raising children and teens with autism, Chantal also gives inspirational and humorous keynote addresses.

Chantal’s newest book 41 Things to Know About Autism is to be published by Turner Publishing in March 2010. Chantal has three books published by Penguin: Autism Life Skills: From Communication and Safety to Self-Esteem and More – 10 Essential Abilities Your Child with Autism Needs and Deserves to Learn (October 2008). Her other books are Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, recipient of the 2006 San Diego Book Award for Best in Health/Fitness; and Autism Spectrum Disorders, recipient of the 2005 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award, and nominated for the 2005 PEN / Martha Albrand Award for First Nonfiction.

The person that propelled Chantal’s journey and is the inspiration for her personal storytelling, is her twenty year old son, Jeremy. When he was diagnosed at age three with mental retardation and autism, Chantal was told to try and find a good institution for him. And she has; it’s called ‘school.’ Having worked years before to help prepare young adults with disabilities for deinstitutionalization, placing her son was not an option. Instead of giving up on him, Chantal taught Jeremy when the educators gave up, and eventually found a way for Jeremy to learn, and to communicate. In June 2010, Jeremy will be graduating with a full academic diploma which he is earning by typing and spelling on a letter board. His plans include community college and to continue writing and instructing others about life with autism.

A well-known advocate in her field, Chantal has been appointed by the California Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders to co-chair the South Counties Autism Regional Taskforce, mandated to identify effective solutions to the most pressing issues facing those with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the state of California. Chantal also served on the Taskforce on Transitional Services & Supports reporting to the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.

A former researcher on BBC documentaries and a line producer on a TV series in Paris, Chantal now moderates webinars and hosts radio shows, blogs on the Huffington Post, is the Autism & Adolescence columnist for the Examiner.com, and writes for various autism magazines. Her new column will debut in Spectrum magazine in February 2010.

Chantal’s son, Jeremy, was featured in the MTV documentary True Life series, in the episode "I Have Autism," recipient of a 2007 Voice Award. Chantal’s family was highlighted in the Newsweek November 27, 2006 cover article "Growing Up With Autism." For more information visit www.chantalsicile-kira.com. In 2006, both Chantal and Jeremy were honored with a Local Autism Hero Award from Cure Autism Now (now Autism Speaks).

For more information, visit www.chantalsicile-kira.com.

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